If you’re looking for real Royal Caribbean cruise tips, this trip gave us plenty to learn from—both on the ship and getting there. We spent eight days sailing through Aruba, Curaçao, and CocoCay with Royal Caribbean, and for the most part, it was everything we needed—sun, fishing, good food, and time to just be present. That said, not every part of this trip went according to plan. Between travel chaos getting there and an even wilder trip home, this one came with a few stories we definitely weren’t expecting.
If you’re here just for cruise tips and planning advice, feel free to scroll down to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips & Resources section—I cover everything from dining and drink packages to what I’d do differently next time. As always, points of interest, experiences, etc. are all bolded and hyperlinked for you to explore. This Royal Caribbean cruise guide covers both the highlights and everything we learned along the way.
Otherwise, settle in, because this one’s a bit of a story...
It had been a long time since we took a real trip; not a work trip or something squeezed in between obligations, but a true, unplugged, just-us kind of vacation.
The last time we had done that was in 2020… and even that one has its own chaos as the world started shutting down around us. Ever since then, life has just been full. Work, responsibilities, building something of my own, constantly moving from one thing to the next. In a lot of ways, it’s been really good. But it also meant we hadn’t really taken the time to step away.
So when we booked this cruise, it felt like something we genuinely needed! A reset. A break. Sunshine, ocean air, nowhere to be, nothing to rush to. Just the idea of slowing down and enjoying time together without constantly thinking about what was next.
I also knew going into it that I wanted to share more of the experience this time. Our first cruise back in 2019 was fun, but we learned a lot on the fly. Things like meal times, drink packages, shore excursions, how to plan your days, what’s worth it and what isn’t. There’s a lot about cruising that isn’t always obvious until you’re in it.
So part of this trip was about that too. Not just experiencing it, but paying attention in a different way. Taking notes, mentally and literally, so I could share what we learned with anyone else thinking about booking a cruise of their own! Cruising is one of the easiest, most relaxing vacations once you know how to do it.
But here’s the kicker… This trip didn’t exactly start out as the relaxing getaway we had in mind.
It turned into one of the most chaotic travel times (to and from) we’ve ever experienced in our life. The kind where plans change by the minute, you’re making decisions on the fly, and you’re just trying to keep things moving forward.
Honestly, as stressful as it was in the moment, it ended up becoming one of the most meaningful parts of the entire trip. Going through all of that together (figuring it out, balancing each other out, staying steady when things could have easily gone sideways) reminded me of something I don’t always stop to think about: how strong my husband and I are as a team.
Jay actually wrote in my birthday card that even with how stressful things had been lately, and everything we had just worked through getting there, he wouldn’t want to do life with anyone else, and he’s right! I’ve always known that, but something about this trip made me feel it in a deeper way. It made me more patient, appreciative, and more aware of how lucky I am to have someone who shows up the way he does.
So while this trip was supposed to be about rest, relaxation, and a little bit of paradise… it ended up being more than that, and it allllll started with a travel day that didn’t go anything like we planned.
This Trip Didn’t Exactly Start How We Planned
We were at the Northwest Sportshow that afternoon, in the middle of meetings and conversations with a potential partner, when the notifications started rolling in. At first, it was just a small delay. An hour. No big deal. Then it pushed to 7:11. Then 8:30. And then suddenly… tomorrow. Our flight had officially been bumped to 6:00 a.m. the next day, with an arrival into Fort Lauderdale at 4:00 p.m., which just so happened to be the exact time our cruise ship was set to leave.
That was the moment everything shifted. It wasn’t something we could sit on. It was we have to figure this out right now.
From there it was a scramble. We wrapped up what we could, left immediately, got to parking, got to the airport, and went straight to the Southwest counter in Terminal 2. They told us what we already knew. That was the only option. We could maybe get to St. Louis, but then we’d still have to somehow get ourselves to Fort Lauderdale. That wasn’t going to work.
While Jay was talking with the Southwest agent, completely calm like he always is, I was on my phone searching everything I could find. Refreshing flights, checking routes, looking at every airline possible. And then I found it. One Delta flight leaving that night. Three seats left. I didn’t overthink it. I just booked it.
We canceled Southwest, grabbed our bags, ran from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1, rechecked everything, went back through security, and finally made it to the gate. At that point our flight should have already taken off about an hour earlier. It felt like we had been operating in fast-forward for hours.
I was definitely anxious, a little jumpy, trying to think five steps ahead. Jay was the complete opposite. Cool, calm, collected. He always is. We balance each other out like that without even trying. And somehow, between the two of us, it worked.
We landed in Fort Lauderdale around 11 p.m., completely exhausted but just relieved to have made it. Getting out to the rideshare area felt like the final step of a very long day, until we got into the Uber.
Our driver didn’t speak much English, but he drove like something out of a movie, weaving through traffic with Whitney Houston and Celine Dion blasting the entire ride. At that point I didn’t even have the energy to question it. I just sat there thinking what a great end to the day it was. He got us to our hotel safely, and that’s all that mattered at that point.
We stayed at an Extended Stay in Cypress Creek/Fort Lauderdale, and honestly for a budget option, it was great. Clean, simple, exactly what we needed. There was a 7/11 right across the street, so Jay ran over in the morning and grabbed us breakfast snacks and iced coffee while we got ready.
We had scheduled an Uber for 11 a.m., which ended up getting canceled and rescheduled three different times before one finally stuck. She ended up being incredible. A truck driver on her way out to Montana, completely unfazed by squeezing all of our gear into her car and getting us to the port.
On the drive, she told us something I had never really thought about before. Uber drivers don’t know the destination until they accept the ride, and a lot of them will decline cruise terminal trips because of how busy and time-consuming they are. It made so much sense, and honestly changed how I think about using rideshares, especially for something like this.
She got us to the Port Everglades around 11:30, earlier than expected even with 7 or 8 other ships departing that day, and from there everything finally felt smooth. We got through security without any issues and stepped onto Oasis of the Seas before we were even technically scheduled to check in.
Looking back on it now, that whole stretch of travel was chaos. There’s no other way to put it. But it’s also one of the parts of the trip that stands out the most. Not because of how stressful it was in the moment, but because of how we handled it together. We were solving problems in real time, making decisions quickly, balancing each other out without even thinking about it. And even through all of that, there was never a moment where I felt like we weren’t going to figure it out. A good foreshadow for post-cruise… we were just getting started on the travel chaos. But! Back to the good stuff.
Stepping Onto Oasis of the Seas
Stepping onto Oasis of the Seas felt like everything finally slowed down. After the scramble it took to get there, running through airports, switching terminals, rebooking flights on the fly, and just operating in full-on problem-solving mode, it was like the second we got on the ship, everything exhaled.
The first thing that hit me was just how massive it is. Our first cruise back in 2018 was on Serenade of the Seas, which now feels tiny in comparison. Oasis is in a completely different category. It doesn’t even feel like a boat. It feels like a floating city and you realize that immediately.
What surprised me more than the size was how calm it actually felt. You’d expect thousands of people boarding at the same time to feel chaotic, but it really didn’t. Everyone just kind of had a mission. People were heading to muster stations, finding food, looking for a bathroom, stopping at guest services, but it all felt really organized. Busy, yes, but not overwhelming.
Our first real “we made it” moment was honestly kind of funny. After a full day of travel, both Jay and I basically made a beeline for the bathroom the second we got on (priorities), but the moment that actually stuck came right after that, when we found ourselves up on one of the upper decks overlooking Central Park.
Yes… there is literally a park on the ship.
Standing there, looking down into it from above, that’s when it clicked. Like okay… we are here. We made it. And now we have eight full days to enjoy!
From there, we did exactly what you’re supposed to do on day one. We found chairs on the pool deck and didn’t move for a while. Drinks in hand, band playing for the sail away party, sun hitting just right, it finally felt like the trip we had imagined when we booked it.
We ended up hanging out on the pool deck for a few hours, grabbing drinks and ice cream, lunch at the Windjammer, wandering through the promenade a bit, just taking everything in without trying to do too much. That’s one of the biggest differences from our first cruise. Back then, I feel like we were trying to figure everything out immediately. This time, we just let it happen.
Eventually we made our way to dinner in the Main Dining Room, and that was the moment it fully shifted for me. Sitting down, not rushing, not thinking about timing or logistics, just being there. That’s when it finally felt like vacation.
Dinner was unreal. Shrimp cocktail, crab cakes, ribeye for me with a baked potato and vegetables, prime rib for Jay with mashed potatoes, and of course dessert because we’re not skipping that on a cruise. Key lime pie for me, strawberry cheesecake for him. It was one of those meals where you just sit there thinking, yeah… this is exactly what we needed. Our server team Aditya and Peter were also honorable mentions. Incredible folks; they were both mentioning how they were so excited that they had only a few weeks left on Oasis before a much needed break to come. They had been aboard for 8 months already!
After dinner we wandered a bit more and ended up in the Casino (“The Adult Arcade”), which turned into one of those nights you don’t plan. We sat down at a roulette table and stayed there for about three hours with a group of people we had just met. That’s something I always forget about cruising is how quickly you end up talking to people and just falling into conversations like you’ve known them longer than you have.
We ended up doubling our money, walked away up about $200, and called that a win. I have to mention Jeff, who was running the table, because he was hands down one of my favorite crew members we met the entire trip. From the Philippines, a little sassy, hilarious, and just made the whole experience that much better.
At midnight, we made our way back to the Royal Promenade for the balloon drop, which is basically the kickoff celebration for the first night. Music, dancing, a packed crowd, balloons falling from above. It’s a little chaotic, a little over the top, but in the best possible way.
By the time we got back to our room, it was just after midnight, and for the first time all day everything was quiet. We had gone with an interior room this time, which honestly ended up being one of the best decisions we made. It was cozy, completely dark, no noise, and exactly what we wanted at the end of a long day. Plenty of space, everything we needed, and none of the distractions.
Looking back, that first day was full in every sense of the word. It started in complete chaos and somehow ended in complete calm. And somewhere in the middle of it all, without really noticing when it happened, we stopped traveling and finally settled into being on vacation.
Days 2 & 3 — Finding Our Rhythm at Sea
The first couple of days at sea are kind of funny, because you go into them thinking you’re going to remember everything you do… and then you don’t. Not because nothing happened, but because it all just blends together into this really easy, relaxed rhythm that’s hard to put into a strict timeline… that’s kind of the point.
I had every intention of doing voice memos each night to recap the day, and that lasted exactly zero days. Instead, what I remember most is just the feeling of it all. Waking up without an alarm, I’d head to the gym on those two sailing mornings for a good workout, then slowly make my way to grab coffee for the two of us. From there, it was just figuring out what we were in the mood for instead of following any kind of schedule.
Most mornings started with breakfast at either the Windjammer or the Solarium. The Windjammer is where everyone goes. It’s big, it’s busy, there are kids everywhere, and the options are endless. But we quickly realized we liked the Solarium better. Same food, completely different vibe. Adult-only, quieter, more relaxed, with this really cool glassed-in space at the front of the ship. Soft music playing, pools and hot tubs right there, sunlight pouring in… it just felt calmer.
I locked into a breakfast routine immediately. Smoked salmon bagel with onions and spring mix, sometimes avocado toast with salmon… every single morning. And then occasionally I’d spiral a little and add a waffle with Oreo fluff on top, because on a cruise you just kind of accept that you’re not counting anything and move on with your life.
A lot of the day naturally centered around the pool deck. That’s just where people end up. Drinks in hand, music going, sun on your face, no real sense of time. We’d bounce between chairs, grab something to eat, wander a little, then end up right back where we started.
And I will say this, because it was something I got asked about a lot after this trip: I did drink alcohol on this cruise. After being alcohol-free for the last couple of years, it was something I didn’t take lightly going into it. But what surprised me was how different it felt this time. There was no pressure, no overthinking, no guilt attached to it. It wasn’t about excess, it was just part of the experience. A drink here and there, enjoying what I had, and moving on. And honestly, coming off the trip, I feel like I have a much healthier, more grounded perspective on it than I ever have before. It felt like a positive shift, not a step backward.
Food became its own routine too. We ate at a handful of different spots depending on what sounded good at the moment. The Boardwalk Dog House became a daily stop. We started calling them “glizzies at sea” and somehow that just stuck. El Loco Fresh was another favorite, quick tacos, burritos, nachos, really fresh and easy. Café Promenade was always there for wraps, desserts, coffee, and snacks whenever we felt like grabbing something in between. Every single night, without fail, we ended up at Sorrento’s for pizza before bed.
It didn’t matter how full we were. It didn’t matter what we had for dinner. It just became part of the routine.
In between all of that, we explored a lot of the ship. There are bars everywhere, and each one has its own vibe. Boleros, the Schooner Bar, the Wipeout Bar, Playmakers, the Bionic Bar (robots literally make your drinks!) the Lime and Coconut on the pool deck, the Solarium Bar, the Casino Bar… you kind of just float between them depending on what you’re in the mood for. Some nights it was live music, some nights it was quieter, some nights it turned into conversations with people you didn’t know an hour earlier.
There’s also just a constant stream of things happening on board if you want them. Jay ended up joining a volleyball tournament on one of the first days and somehow found himself on a team with a bunch of guys he had never met before. They ended up winning the whole thing which made it even better. Just one of those random cruise moments where you jump into something and walk away with a story.
We also checked out the Abyss, which is this massive slide that drops you from way up on the ship down several decks. It looks a lot more intimidating than it actually is, but it was still one of those things you feel like you have to do at least once.
There were dance classes, salsa lessons, a random flash mob at one point, shows, bingo, entertainment… you could fill every hour of your day if you wanted to, but the biggest difference for us this time around was that we didn’t feel like we had to.
That’s something I didn’t realize during our first cruise. I think back then we felt like we needed to experience everything, see everything, do everything. This time, we just let the days happen. If something sounded fun, we did it. If not, we didn’t and that made it feel a lot more like a vacation.
Dinner each night was its own experience too. One night was “dress your best,” and some people really leaned into it, some didn’t. On the Serenade back in 2019, people were in ball gowns, tuxedos, the whole thing. It’s definitely chilled out since our first cruise.
That night we had calamari, French onion soup that was unreal, seafood linguine for me, red curry for Jay, and crème brûlée for dessert. Night 3 was more of a Latin theme, where I had a Cajun salmon dish with mango salsa, Jay had Cajun chicken, and we finished it off with flan and tres leches.
After dinner we’d usually wander, grab a drink, maybe catch some live music, and see where the night went.
One night we ended up at the Schooner Bar where I had a Lavender Haze martini that I’m still thinking about, and Jay had this toasted bourbon old fashioned with marshmallow that was actually really good. From there we went to a show with a comedian who also juggled, which sounds random but ended up being super entertaining. He was excellent. Another night, we watched 2 comedians at The Blaze lounge, and they were also incredibly funny, like tears streaming down face funny.
Somewhere along the way, we learned about the whole cruise duck thing… people hide little rubber ducks all over the ship and you’re supposed to find them. We found a couple just by chance, which was kind of hilarious.
Sailing days are what you make of them. You can pack your schedule full of activities or do absolutely nothing at all and feel just as fulfilled. For us, it was a mix of both: doing what sounded fun, skipping what didn’t, and not overthinking any of it.
We called it a night, got some rest, and got ready to wake up somewhere new. Aruba was up next!
Day 4 — Aruba
Aruba had been on our bucket list for a while, so waking up and seeing it from the ship that morning felt like one of those moments you picture long before the trip ever happens. I will say, the first thing that caught me off guard was how populated it was. For some reason I had imagined something a little quieter, a little more spread out, but right away it felt busy and alive and built up in a way I hadn’t expected. Not bad at all, just different. And then, as if the morning needed one more weird little full-circle moment, we looked over and realized Serenade of the Seas (our very first cruise ship from 2018) was docked right there too. Seeing it next to Oasis really put into perspective how massive our current ship was. It was such a cool coincidence and one of those things that only means something to you.
We had an 8:30 gangway-down that morning, and the plan was pretty straightforward. We needed to be at our fishing charter by noon, so we figured we’d get off early, wander a bit, soak in Aruba, and then make our way over to the other side of the island. Once we stepped off the ship, we made our way through the port area, which was exactly what you’d expect (souvenirs, t-shirts, magnets, hats, all of it). I always get a magnet from every cruise port eventually, but I held off for later and we kept moving.
From there we wandered through Oranjestad, just kind of letting the morning unfold. There were boutique stores, designer labels, casinos, hotels, diamond stores, watch shops, and all of it sitting against that bright, colorful Caribbean backdrop. We weren’t really there to shop, so we mostly just looked, took pictures, and kept walking. There were these cute little cow sculptures scattered around that I loved, so naturally we stopped for photos with those too. It was one of those mornings where nothing felt rushed and everything felt worth noticing.
At some point we had walked probably two and a half miles and found ourselves heading toward a stretch of beach where we spotted umbrellas and figured that had to mean drinks and somewhere to sit. That brought us to Reflexion Bar and Beach Club, where we grabbed a couple Coronas, found beach chairs, and made our way into the ocean for a bit. It was warm, easy, and exactly the kind of “we’re really here” moment that makes a port day feel real. We eventually got approached and told the chairs were something you had to pay for, which we hadn’t realized, but we weren’t planning to stay long anyway and they were really nice about letting us just hang out for a bit. One of those small little moments of grace that you appreciate when you’re traveling.
Eventually it was time to move, so we hailed a taxi and headed toward the charter, which was near the Bucuti Yacht Club, past the airport. This part of the day mattered to me more than just the average excursion, because I had been genuinely excited about this trip for months. We had booked with High Times Charters to go offshore fishing for sailfish, and in my mind this was one of the anchor experiences of the whole cruise. What made it even more meaningful was that, in a really roundabout way, it all tied back to Party on Poygan. I had won an ice shack there, sold it, and that ended up helping pay for this charter. It still feels ridiculous and funny and kind of perfect that a Midwest ice-fishing tournament ended up connecting to an offshore fishing trip in Aruba, but that’s exactly what happened.
We got to the marina, met Captain Tom and Chris, and were so excited to get on the boat. We climbed aboard, headed out, and for about two seconds it felt like everything was lining up exactly how we had planned it.
And then, just like that, it wasn’t.
We hadn’t even made it beyond the harbor buoys before Tom turned the boat around. The motor was misfiring, which is obviously not something you mess around with when you’re about to head offshore. Better to call it in the harbor than risk being stranded at sea. I got refunded, and while I was bummed, I truly hope someday we get another chance to fish with Tom because he seemed wonderful. He’s so fun to follow online, and they catch some incredible fish. It just wasn’t our day.
So once again, the trip asked us to pivot.
We took Tom’s recommendation and went to the Bucuti Yacht Club for lunch, and honestly that ended up shifting the whole mood of the day. Jay and I split an incredible shrimp platter and drank Balashi. Kind of like a better Heineken; light, crisp, perfect for that kind of hot afternoon. Our server was so kind, and the gentleman hanging out by the bar ended up giving us all sorts of local insight about the island and what we should do next. It was one of those travel moments where being forced off-plan actually opens the door to something better.
Through the bartender’s cousin, we got hooked up with a ride over to Eagle Beach, and that is where the day really turned. We rented a lil’ cabana set up for $35, got a bucket of Presidente beers, and settled in for what ended up being one of the best afternoons of the trip. We swam, laid in the sun, talked, tanned, and just enjoyed being exactly where we were. Aruba is truly stunning. The water that day had this electric green-blue color to it because of the high winds stirring everything up, and it was still so beautiful it almost didn’t look real. We had nowhere to be, nothing to fix, and no reason to rush. It was just the two of us, and after the way the day had started, that simplicity ended up being the best part.
Eventually we looked at each other and decided it was time to head back. We split a minivan taxi with a group of people for five dollars apiece, made our way back to the port, and I finally got my Aruba magnet. We ended up having dinner at Anker Fish Company, where Jay had fresh shrimp tacos and I had fresh red snapper tacos, and both were excellent. We paired them with Chill beer, which was light and crisp and perfect after a full day in the sun. That whole meal was one of those little closing notes that just tied everything together.
Back on the ship, we skipped the main dining room that night and went straight to the Solarium bar. We sat in the hot tub, watched a soccer tournament that was on tv, drank mudslides and mai tais, and chatted with some really nice people. It was such an easy, satisfying way to end a day that had absolutely not gone according to plan.
And because Jay is Jay, and because he wasn’t quite ready to let the fishing part go, he booked us another charter for the next day in Curaçao with La Menta Charters.
So that’s how Aruba ended: not with the offshore trip we expected, but with a better reminder that some of the best travel days come from letting go of the version you thought you were supposed to have.
Day 5 — Curaçao
I had never been to Curaçao before, so it felt like a fresh stop for us. Going into it, I was really excited, especially knowing we had another fishing charter lined up after Aruba didn’t go the way we planned. The first thing I noticed at port was that the water is truly as blue as the infamous Blue Curacao alcohol. It was insanely gorgeous.
We had an early gangway-down again that morning, and this time we didn’t waste much time wandering. We got off the ship and went straight to the taxi area knowing we had to get across the island for our charter. Right away, we ran into the trouble of getting a taxi willing to take us that far. The going rate was about $60 one way, which felt a little aggressive, but at that point it was kind of the only option.
Coincidentally, we ran into a group of four folks from Boston from our ship, and they were trying to get to a golf course in the exact same direction. They had the accents, the energy, everything you’d expect, and somehow we all ended up figuring it out together. We finally found a driver willing to take us, piled in, and started the 30-minute drive across the island.
The ride itself was half the experience. Our driver was talking about how crazy traffic gets and how hectic things can be, and it was just funny hearing that perspective coming from people who live in Boston and us being used to driving through Minneapolis and other bigger cities. It was one of those moments where you realize how different “busy” looks depending on where you are.
We got dropped off at the marina where we were meeting our crew for the day. Captain Wendell, along with Douglas and Mercedes from La Menta Boat Tours met us and right away the vibe felt good. After the trip cancellation in Aruba, it felt like we were getting a second chance at the experience we had been looking forward to.
We got on the boat and headed east toward the far end of the island, where they said the bite had been better lately. Almost immediately, we realized this was going to be a very different kind of day.
It was windy. Not just a little windy, really windy. They told us we were blessed compared to earlier in the week, when waves had been pushing 10 to 14 feet. That day we were dealing with 8 to 10 foot waves, which, in hindsight, is still pretty intense. The kind of conditions where the ocean isn’t just moving in one direction, it’s shifting from multiple angles at once due to changing winds, and you’re just along for the ride.
Jay hooked up with a fish almost right away and pulled in a blackfin tuna, which was awesome to see so early in the trip. It gave us that little boost of confidence like okay, this is happening, this is going to be good!
Then we hit a bit of a lull, which is just fishing. You wait, you move, you adjust. Eventually we made it out toward the eastern edge of the island, where everything got a little more intense. The boat was working through waves coming from different directions, and at one point Douglas noticed seagulls hovering over the water. Something I would never think about, but it made perfect sense when he explained it: those birds are following baitfish, and the baitfish are running from the bigger fish.
So we moved in; that shift ended up being the turning point.
I hooked into a barracuda using something called a rosary, which is basically like hand-lining a heavy rig, almost like pulling in a giant tip-up line by hand. It was such a cool experience, but also way more physical than I expected. Between the current and the movement of the boat, it turned into a full-body workout just trying to bring that fish in.
Around the same time, Jay ended up on a double and pulled in a blackfin tuna and a rainbow runner, which was easily one of the most beautiful fish I’ve ever seen. Even the crew was fired up about that one, which made it even cooler.
Did I mention there were dogs aboard?
From the beginning of the trip, there were two dogs on the boat: Francesca a chihuahua and Jerry, a Jack Russell who immediately decided we were his people. Jerry was chaos in the best way. He peed on the seat I was sitting on within minutes of being on the boat, tore up deckhand gloves, barked every time a fish hit the line, and then would randomly crash out and nap like nothing had happened. He was an absolute menace, and it made the whole experience that much more memorable. I loved him.
The fishing itself was a mix of trolling and a setup using rubber bands that would snap when a fish hit, which was really cool to watch. Over the course of the day, we ended up catching multiple species: blackfin tuna, rainbow runner, and a couple barracuda, and while it wasn’t non-stop action, it was more than enough to feel like we got what we came for.
At one point on the way back in, Douglas cut up some of the tuna and made sashimi right there on the boat, which was unreal. Fresh, simple, and one of those experiences that just sticks with you. We didn’t take fish back with us since we were heading back to the cruise, but they explained how it usually works for clients, which was interesting to hear.
I’d be lying if I said the day didn’t take a toll on us physically, though.
Between the waves and the constant motion, both Jay and I ended up getting pretty seasick at different points. Even with Bromine patches and Dramamine, it was just one of those days where the conditions win. But the crew handled it like pros. No judgment, no pressure, just understanding that sometimes it happens, especially in water like that.
Despite that, it never took away from the experience. If anything, it just made it more real.
On the way back in, we called our taxi driver, who thankfully was already headed back toward us, and we ended up linking back up with the Boston crew again. Their golf day hadn’t gone much better than our calm-water dreams had, between the wind and how backed up the course was, so everyone was kind of in the same boat, just laughing about it at that point.
We made the drive back, got dropped off at the port, grabbed another magnet for the collection, and made it back onto the ship just in time for dinner.
We kept it simple that night: coconut shrimp to start, shrimp for dinner, because apparently we were on a shrimp streak that week, and skipped dessert entirely because neither of us was feeling great yet. The waves had definitely stuck with us longer than we would have liked.
We didn’t try to push it after that. We called it an early night, went back to the room, and just let ourselves reset for two more days of sailing before our final island on the itinerary: CoCo Cay!
Days 6 & 7 — Back at Sea
By the time we got back on the ship after Curaçao, it felt like we had already packed a lot into the trip, but those last couple of sailing days ended up being some of the easiest and most fun of the whole week.
Sailing days really are what you make of them, and at this point we had it down.
We were up early, because we learned quickly that if you want a good spot on the pool deck, especially under an umbrella, you have to claim it early. So we were up around 6:45, grabbed breakfast, and went straight to the deck to throw our towels down on chairs and lock in our spot for the day.
That became the routine. Breakfast was the same salmon bagels and coffee, then straight to the pool deck, and from there it was just settling in for the day. Drinks, music, sun, and no real reason to leave. We met a really nice couple from North Carolina one of those mornings and ended up chatting with them quite a bit. That seemed to happen naturally on this trip, just falling into conversations and seeing the same people pop up throughout the ship.
The DJ on the pool deck ended up being one of my favorite parts of those days. He played a mix of 70s and 80s music blended with dance remixes, which somehow worked perfectly. At one point I joined in on some line dancing, which was way more fun than I expected, and there was a belly flop contest that had a crowd gathered around cheering people on.
Jay jumped into another volleyball tournament, which didn’t go quite as well as his first one, but still something fun to be part of. We made time for the water slides, spent hours just laying in the sun, and didn’t feel pulled in a hundred different directions like you might expect on a ship that size.
Dinner that night was another standout. Prosciutto, crab cakes, flounder, and Jay had a mushroom risotto that was really good. I had a toasted marshmallow dessert that I’m still thinking about, and Jay had a mousse that he loved.
After dinner, we wandered into the Music Hall where they were doing a game show called Battle of the Sexes. It was fun for a bit, but we ended up leaving early because we had heard too many good things about Aqua 80 to miss it.
That show was insane.
It’s set in the back of the ship with water, diving, dancing, acrobatics, all to 80s music, and it somehow works together perfectly. At one point there was a guy walking a tightrope across the entire space, about 60 feet above the audience and over 100 feet above sea level. It didn’t even feel real watching it. I would have gone to that show again in a heartbeat if it didn’t mean taking a spot from someone else.
From there, we ended up back in the casino, espresso martinis in hand, playing machines and working our way up to 400 points, which felt like a win for the night. Later on, we made our way to Crazy Quest, which is one of those things you can’t really explain until you see it. People are running around completing ridiculous challenges, men are wearing womens undergarments, and fully committing to it. It was chaotic in the best way.
Somewhere in those days we also ended up at the karaoke bar, where we met Sam and Jen from North Carolina. They became some of our favorite people on the trip. It was 2000s music trivia, where I basically went 40 for 40 on knowing song clips and we walked away with prizes.
The next day followed a similar rhythm. Pool deck, sun, drinks, food, and just enjoying being out there. At one point I ran to grab pizza for lunch and stumbled into a veteran’s tribute happening in the promenade. It stopped me in my tracks. They played taps, sang the national anthem, and recognized active military and veterans. There wasn’t a dry eye in the promenade.
That night in the dining room felt more like a sendoff. The servers did a full celebration with music and dancing, recognizing the kitchen staff and everyone who had been part of the experience all week. It was one of those moments where you realize the trip is starting to wind down, even if you’re not quite ready for it.
Dinner was just as good as the rest of the week: crab, lobster tail, and a round of espresso martinis to go with it, followed by cheesecake and a strawberry dessert that was just as good as everything else had been.
After that, we kept it simple. Some music, a couple drinks, and then calling it a night.
The next morning was CocoCay.
Day 8 — Perfect Day at CocoCay
CocoCay was our last stop of the trip, and in a lot of ways it felt like the perfect way to wrap everything up. It’s Royal Caribbean’s private island, so it runs a little differently than the other ports, and going into it we had already heard one thing over and over again: people rush the free beaches the second they get off the ship.
That alone was enough for us to decide we were doing something different. We booked Hideaway Beach ahead of time, which is their adults-only section of the island. After a full week of being around families and kids on the ship, that sounded like exactly what we wanted. When we woke up that morning, there was another massive Royal Caribbean ship docked next to us, either Wonder of the Seas or Utopia, I can’t remember, but it made ours suddenly feel normal-sized, which is saying something.
It also happened to be Jay’s 40th birthday! We started the morning the same way we had settled into all week: breakfast in the Solarium, coffee, taking our time, but there was definitely a little more excitement knowing this was our last full day and we were waking up somewhere new again. We made our way down toward the gangway early, even though the crew had been very clear that you weren’t supposed to line up before the actual time. Everyone still tries anyway, so we got as close as we could without getting yelled at and waited it out. Once they opened things up, we moved fast.
We were actually the first two people to make it into Hideaway Beach, which ended up working completely in our favor. As soon as we got in, we started scanning for chairs, trying to figure out where we wanted to set up, when one of the staff members stopped us and told us we should really grab one of the daybeds up the stairs. We had no idea what she meant, but we trusted her.
She pointed us in the right direction, and sure enough, there were these incredible daybeds sitting up above the main area overlooking in the infinity pool. We grabbed one immediately, and our friends we made from Michigan ended up right next to us. That alone made the entire day. Having a space to settle into, lay out, drop our stuff, and just exist without constantly moving around was huge.
Hideaway Beach was everything we were hoping for. No kids, no chaos, just a really good mix of people, music, and space to relax. The infinity pool overlooking the ocean, there was a lagoon you can swim in, a swim up bar, food, everything you need without feeling crowded.
We brought snorkel masks with us and ended up spending a good chunk of time just floating around in the lagoon, watching fish move through the water. There were tons of smaller ones, a few bigger ones, and then these flashes of silver that would move past you when you weren’t expecting it. The wildest part was the pelicans. They would dive straight into the water for fish, completely unfazed by people being right there. At one point one came down so close it felt like it could’ve clipped us.
Most of the day was swimming, laying in the sun, talking, not checking the time, not thinking about what was next. There was a DJ playing music all afternoon, drinks constantly in hand, and at some point we ended up with food from coconut shrimp, mozzarella sticks, and later a really good seafood pizza that just tasted even better being eaten on an island.
The drink package carried over onto the island, which made everything even easier. No thinking, no tracking, just ordering what sounded good and enjoying it. The whole vibe of the place was just fun without being over the top.
At one point there was a beach ball floating around that everyone kept hitting back into play, and it turned into one of those small, stupidly fun things that just keeps going because nobody wants it to stop.
This was easily our favorite day/port of the entire trip. Celebrating Jay’s birthday there made it even better. No pressure, no big plans, just a full day of being somewhere beautiful with good people and nothing else to worry about.
Up until that point, we had been blissfully unaware of what was happening back home.
Then we started hearing it. Flight cancellations. Snowstorm. Minneapolis shutting down. Something like 25 inches of snow expected. People’s travel plans falling apart left and right. We asked someone to check ours.
Canceled.
Jay, in true Jay fashion, just shrugged it off and said, “That’s a tomorrow problem.” At the time, that felt fair.
When it was finally time to head back, we left a little early to avoid the rush, stopping at the pier where, against all signage telling us not to, we fed some of the fish with pieces of bread we had tucked away. It felt like something you’re not supposed to do, which made it even funnier.
Back on the ship, the mood shifted just a little. You could feel the trip starting to wind down. Dinner that night was the Bon Voyage dinner, which felt fitting for the last night onboard. I had a Mediterranean spread to start, then braised lamb that was honestly incredible, and we finished it off with dessert: something chocolate for me, apple cobbler for Jay. Somewhere in there, the staff came out and sang to Jay for his birthday and brought him a little dessert, which he fully leaned into.
Eventually we made our way back to the room and started packing, which is always the worst part. That quiet moment where everything’s coming to an end whether you’re ready for it or not. We finished packing. That was the last real calm moment before everything picked back up again.
Debarkation Day — Getting Home
Debarkation day started like it was supposed to. Early alarm, packing everything up, grabbing breakfast at the Windjammer, and mentally preparing to get off the ship and head home.
We sat down with our coffee and started looking at flights. Everything was canceled or pushed out days. It was Sunday, and nothing was showing up until Wednesday or Thursday. The flights that were available were completely gouged; what should have been a few hundred dollars had jumped to over $2,500.
For a second, we talked about staying in Fort Lauderdale and waiting it out, but neither of us felt good about getting stuck there with no guarantee things would get better. So we made a call pretty quickly.
We Ubered to the airport, walked up to the rental counter, and decided we were driving. We ended up in a Kia Soul, no snow tires, no real plan other than “get north.”
At first, it felt kind of exciting. We were joking about how this road trip was either going to make or break our marriage. We had snacks, music, and decent moods. Jay took the first four hour leg, I took another 4, Jay again, and then I began to take a stretch driving us out of Tennessee.
Then we started hearing about storms near Nashville, and then we drove straight into it.
It escalated fast. Wind coming from multiple directions, rain so heavy you couldn’t see the road, water starting to move across the highway in a way that didn’t feel normal. It wasn’t just a storm. This was a tornado system moving through right as we were.
There wasn’t anywhere to go, so I pulled over and tucked in behind a couple semis and just waited. We sat there for about 20 minutes while it passed through, both of us pretty quiet, shaking, and just trying to ride it out. It was easily one of the scariest drives I’ve ever had.
Once it cleared enough, we kept moving, but the adrenaline and stress caught up to us pretty quick. Both of us were feeling sick, exhausted, and still had a long way to go. We made it into Kentucky and pulled into a rest stop, where we tried to sleep for a couple hours before getting back on the road.
From there, it was just survival mode. Driving, stopping, trying to rest, getting back on the road again. I drove most of it because even though I wasn’t feeling great, I knew I could keep us moving as long as I stayed awake. Jay took over everything else, looking at routes, checking flights, weather, figuring out next steps.
Somewhere in the middle of the night, while we were stopped again near Illinois, I decided to check flights one more time. I found one out of St. Louis, about two and a half hours west of where we were, leaving the next morning. I booked it immediately.
That was the turning point. We drove to St. Louis, got a hotel, finally slept for real, and the next morning got on a flight back to Minnesota. It felt like we had finally made it through everything.
And then, just to really finish things off, my car died on 494 on the way home. At that point, I broke down in tears sobbing. It was just one of those “of course it did” moments.
Looking back, that whole stretch home could have gone very differently. It would have been easy to get frustrated, snap at each other, or just let the stress take over, but we didn’t. We worked together the entire time. I drove when I needed to, he handled everything else. When one of us was off, the other picked it up. There wasn’t really a moment where it felt like we were against each other, it always felt like we were just trying to figure it out together.
That part stuck with me more than anything.
I’ve always loved my husband, but going through something like that together makes you appreciate each other in a different way. It made me more patient, more aware, and just grateful. Things don’t feel that overwhelming when you know you’ve got someone next to you who’s going to figure it out with you no matter what.
That trip home wasn’t what we planned, but it ended up being one of the most important parts of the whole trip.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing this trip proved, it’s that not every part of travel is going to go the way you planned.
The cruise itself? Incredible. Truly one of our favorite trips we’ve taken. Royal Caribbean continues to be our go-to, and at this point, I’d say we’re pretty loyal to Royal. The ship, the experiences, the food, the people: it all delivered exactly what we were hoping for.
The travel to get there and especially the trip home? Absolute chaos. There’s really no other way to put it.
Between flight cancellations, last-minute changes, driving across multiple states, getting caught in a tornado, and somehow still making it back home… it was a lot. Enough that we’ve joked we might need a minute (or several years) before planning the next one.
Even with all of that, I wouldn’t take the experience back. At the end of the day, the chaos didn’t define the trip, the moments did. The fishing, the people we met, the days on the water, the time spent together, and everything in between. That’s what sticks.
If anything, going through the hard parts made the good parts feel even better.
So if you’re considering a cruise, or wondering if it’s worth it, the answer is yes. Just maybe be ready for a little unpredictability along the way.
With that said, here are some things we learned along the way that I think are worth knowing if you’re planning your own cruise.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips & Resources
If you’ve made it this far and you’re thinking about booking a cruise of your own, here’s everything we learned both from this trip and our first one) that I think is actually worth knowing.
Booking & Planning
On our first cruise, we did 11 days, which ended up being a lot. This time around, we chose an 8-day cruise, and honestly, that felt like the sweet spot. Long enough to fully settle in and enjoy it, but not so long that you start feeling ready to go home. That said, it really depends on your schedule and how long you want to be away. You can make any length work.
We went with Royal Caribbean again because we had such a great experience the first time. There are a lot of cruise lines out there, but we knew we didn’t want Carnival, Disney felt a little too kid-focused for us, and we weren’t quite ready to try Virgin even though the adult-only aspect is appealing. Royal just checked all the boxes again. There’s always something going on, the ships are incredible, and you can truly make the trip whatever you want it to be.
We booked ours during a Black Friday sale, which I would highly recommend watching for. There are constantly deals running, and you can save a good amount if you time it right. Your cruise fare will include your room and your meals, but pretty much everything else is an add-on.
One thing I strongly recommend is trip insurance. You just never know. If something had gone wrong with our travel to get there and we had to cancel, that would have saved us a lot of money and stress. It’s one of those things you hope you don’t need, but you’re really glad you have.
Your cruise definitely has a Facebook networking group: Join it. It’s full. of resources from experienced cruisers, a place to ask questions, learn about deals on packages and excursions, and more.
Room Choice — Interior vs Balcony
We chose an interior room this time, and I have zero regrets.
At the end of the day, your room is really just where you sleep. We were barely in there otherwise. Interior rooms are dark, quiet, and honestly really comfortable. If you’re someone who values sleep, it’s kind of perfect.
Balconies are great if you know you’ll use them, but for us, it didn’t feel worth the extra cost for the amount of time we would’ve actually spent out there. If I was offered one, I’d take it, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to pay for it again.
This one really comes down to personal preference and budget.
Dining — My Time vs Scheduled
When you book your cruise, you’ll choose a dining time. You can either pick a scheduled time (like 5 p.m. or 7 p.m.) or do My Time Dining, which is more flexible and based on availability.
We’ve done both.
This time, we preferred having a set dinner time because it gave structure to the day. The only downside was the earlier time felt a little rushed if we were in the middle of something. If I were to do it again, I’d stick with a later time like 7 p.m.
My Time Dining is nice if you want flexibility, but you might have to wait for a table.
The main dining room is 100% worth it. Three-course meals, great service, tons of options, and you can go every single night without getting bored.
Specialty dining? I’d skip it. Unless you’re celebrating something big, there’s more than enough included food that you don’t need to spend extra.
Food Options
There is no shortage of food. Ever.
Our favorites:
- Boardwalk Hot Dogs (we lived off those some days)
- Café Promenade (coffee, snacks, quick bites)
- Sorrento’s Pizza (elite late-night snack)
- Solarium (same food as Windjammer, just quieter and adult-only)
- Main Dining Room
- El Loco Fresco
There’s so much variety that you won’t get bored.
Drink Packages
Here’s the deal: as of August 2025, if one person in your cabin buys the Deluxe Drink Package, both of you have to. That’s because people used to share drinks and ruined it for everyone.
For us, it is always worth it. Even though I’m not a big drinker, I still took advantage of it. You can get cocktails, mocktails, Starbucks coffee at Cafe Promenade, protein shakes at the Fitness Center, Red Bulls, Gatorade—basically anything. It adds up quickly if you’re paying out of pocket.
If you plan on having multiple drinks a day, it’s worth it. If not, you can absolutely enjoy the cruise without it. Get the Freestyle Cup, though.
Pool Deck Strategy
People will save chairs. It happens. Just don’t be the person who throws a towel down and disappears for six hours.
If you want a good spot (especially under an umbrella) you need to get there early. We were up around 6:45 most days to claim chairs, and it paid off.
Umbrellas are nice but not necessary. You can always move if you need shade.
Must-have item: chair clips or bands. The wind is no joke, and your towel will be gone in seconds without them.
Packing Tips
A few things I’m really glad we brought:
- Chair clips
- Snorkel masks
- Motion sickness meds (Dramamine + patches)
For your room, call guest services as soon as you check in and ask for:
- A mattress topper (game changer)
- A fan (if available)
You can also request robes and other small upgrades, do this ASAP after getting into your stateroom.
Excursions vs Exploring on Your Own
If you book an excursion through Royal Caribbean, they will wait for you if something goes wrong.
If you book on your own, you’re responsible for getting back. If you miss the ship, you’re on your own.
That’s the risk.
Aruba was a perfect example. Our charter fell apart, but we were still able to pivot and have an amazing day. Curaçao, our charter was worth it even with rough conditions.
You can absolutely explore on your own, just know your timing and give yourself buffer room.
Transportation at Ports
Bring cash. Taxis can be expensive and unpredictable. Aruba was around $30 per ride, Curaçao was $60. Not everywhere has Uber, and drivers don’t always want to take long trips.
Be kind, tip well, and if you find a good driver, hold onto them (get their phone number). They’ll often come back for you.
Seasickness (Real Talk)
We brought Dramamine and Bromine (motion sickness) patches.
We’ve never really been seasick people, but Curaçao changed that. 8–10 foot waves will test anyone.
The patches helped, but extreme conditions are extreme conditions.
Even if you don’t think you’ll need it, bring something. Jay always says “it’s better to have and not need than to need and not have.”
Onboard Activities
Don’t miss:
- Aqua 80 (absolute must)
- Crazy Quest (you’ll understand when you see it)
- Comedians and Entertainers
There are tons of activities all day long, and if you’re competitive, you can win medals and little prizes, which is actually really fun.
Skip anything that doesn’t interest you. There’s always something else happening.
Casino & Points
This was something we learned that actually surprised us.
If you earn enough points in the casino (around 400–500), you can start getting offers for free cruises. We hit 400 points and were already getting offers.
Slots are the easiest way to build points.
If you’re traveling with a partner, use one card so you’re stacking points instead of splitting them.
WOW Bands
Instead of carrying your SeaPass card everywhere, you can get a WOW band, which is basically a bracelet version of your card.
It’s about $10 and absolutely worth it, especially for places like CocoCay where you don’t want to carry anything.
Final Advice
Looking back, this Royal Caribbean cruise guide would have made a few parts of our first cruise easier.
Don’t try to do everything, that’s the biggest mistake people make. There is something happening every 30 minutes on a cruise, and you will never be able to do it all. Decide early if you want to pack your days full or just go with the flow. You’re not missing out either way. Some of our favorite moments came from doing absolutely nothing and rotting at the pool with good music and cold drinks.
I know that was a lot, but I truly appreciate you taking the time to read my blog. Have a wonderful day, friend!
